The Daggers first home game of the pre-season saw them sport their new home kit. Played against the backdrop of the new stand being erected at the Pondfield Road end, the Daggers supporters had an opportunity to watch all of the club's summer signings. They would have been pleased as the Daggers overcame League One Southend United thanks to two opportunist goals from Paul Benson.

Danny Green had the first opportunity to show his crossing prowess as he teed up a corner which found, of all people, Scott Griffiths inside the Southend penalty area. The full-back however could only direct his header wide of the target.

Perhaps the one Dagger who caught the eye more the most early on was Josh Scott, who worked both channels very well and brought his team-mates into the game. On one occasion, Scott's persistence saw the ball eventually reach Solomon Taiwo, who ballooned his shot over the target.

The Daggers went close to taking the lead on twenty minutes. Will Antwi dragged a volley across goal where Graeme Montgomery was on hand to fire in a shot. The ball looked to be heading for the corner, but a goal-line clearance from Southend's Harry Worley kept the scores level.

Griffiths demonstrated a neat drag-back and turn to work himself a shooting opportunity. That was blocked by some solid Southend defending.

The visitors better efforts came towards the end of the opening interval. Lee Sawyer curled an effort a couple of yards wide while Franck Moussa hit a shot from distance which forced Tony Roberts into making a save.

It didn't take long for the Daggers to find themselves ahead in the second half. Just a minute after the re-start Benson was on hand to pounce on a cross from the left to score from close range.

It could have been two minutes later. Montgomery found himself clear to head a deep free-kick back across goal. Unfortunately there wasn't a red shirt to pounce on the loose ball.

The Daggers did score a second after 66 minutes. Green hit a free-kick that saw Antwi battle for the ball. It broke to Benson who helped himself to a second goal of the afternoon.

He almost had a hat-trick after combining well with sub Wes Thomas. The ball bounced off Benson and bobbled along the goal-line before rolling against the post.

Roberts was barely troubled during the second period as Antwi and Doe snuffed out any attack Southend could create.

Towards the end Benson had a header pushed away while Ian Joyce saved well from Green but it was a good workout for the Daggers who can now look forward to the visit of Birmingham City in midweek.

Att: 720

Dag & Red: 1. Tony Roberts, 2. Abu Ogogo (21. Alex Bentley, 86 mins), 3. Scott Griffiths, 4. Scott Doe, 5. Will Antwi, 6. Peter Gain, 7. Danny Green, 8. Solomon Taiwo (12. Stuart Thurgood, 60 mins), 9. Paul Benson, 10. Josh Scott (15. Wes Thomas, 60 mins), 11. Graeme Montgomery (14. Jon Nurse, 60 mins). Subs: 16. Daniel Charge, 17. Billy Bingham, 18. Tommy Tejan-Sie, 19 Harlee Dean, 20. Glenn Poole.

Southend: 1. Ian Joyce, 2. Andy Pearson, 3. Johnny Herd, 4. Jean-Francois Christophe (15. Simon Francis, 64 mins), 5. Brian Saah, 6. Harry Worley (14. Lee Barnard, 64 mins), 7. Alex Revell (Francis Laurent, 64 mins), 8. Lee Sawyer (12. Anthony Grant, 64 mins), 9. Marceo Reicter, 10. James Walker (20. Damian Scannell, 45 mins, 18. Craig Calver, 70 mins) , 11. Franck Moussa (17. Alan McCormack, 64 mins). Subs: 13. Steve Mildenhall.